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new plate shoes, polish or no?

elares

By elares
in Umpire Equipment

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47 members have voted

  1. 1. Polish or not?

    • Polish
      21
    • No polish, scrubbing bubbles
      14
    • something else. (Please describe).
      12

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elares

elares

Posted
Posted

My New Balance 460s (MU460MBK) arrived today.  I have always polished my plate shoes but I also hear the talk of using Scrubbing Bubbles and wipe them off instead of polish.

What do you suggest?

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Majordave
Majordave

I bought the same model shoes last fall. Wore them a month in AZ. While there I cleaned them with scrubbing bubbles. Wiped with rag. Sprayed with water. Wiped with different rag. Then sprayed with aqu

MidAmUmp
MidAmUmp

Don't use items like scrubbing bubbles or household cleaners. They will cause your shoes to break down. Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with water leaves a residue on your shoes. It looks good at the time, bu

WIUMP
WIUMP

After reading some of the linked threads, I am nervous of some of the products being advocated. Many household cleaners and polishers have ammonia or silicone or other chemicals that, although may pro

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umpstu

umpstu

Posted
Posted

I wear NB 460 and just spray the dust off first and then scrub them with a nylon brush and hot soapy water.  Also pick all of the gravel out of the soles.

Platejob29

Platejob29

Posted
Posted

I always clean and polish my shoes straight out of the box. First clean them with scrubbing bubbles and windex. Scrubbbing bubbles first then windex to help remove some of the harsher chemicals that scrubbing bubbles leaves behind then polish with a few coats of black then a few coats of clear over that then a few coats of hairspray. Then I do the same thing after every use. I find it helps them last longer and helps to keep dirt and dust off of them so that they clean up quicker.

Majordave

Majordave

Posted
Posted

I bought the same model shoes last fall. Wore them a month in AZ. While there I cleaned them with scrubbing bubbles. Wiped with rag. Sprayed with water. Wiped with different rag. Then sprayed with aqua net hairspray. Shined great but not enough for me so this winter I Leather Lustered them. Love that look. Now I will have to just spray them with water and wipe off. LL isn't for everyone but I really like that look. The hairspray trick I learned on here two or three years ago. No damage to the shoes. Noticeable shine if shine not just clean and black is your thing.

  • Like 2
Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/54988-cleaning-shoes/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/55473-scrubbing-bubbles/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes#entry198501

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/1853-polishing-rbk-plate-shoes/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes#entry18067

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/24778-cleaning-shoes/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/3193-cleaning-shoes/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/2865-shoe-cleaning/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes#entry31262

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/56256-armour-all-wipes-for-shoes/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes

 

If you sift through this gem, you'll also find info for what people use ....

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/24750-finnerty-supply-bucket/?hl=%2Bcleaning+%2Bshoes#entry81896

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

I don't use Scrubbing Bubbles all the time ....too harsh.   Typically I have 2 spray bottles with me (on top of the SB can) ...one w/ water, and one w/ a solution of Murphy's oil soap (cap full or so) and water.    Water, spray, wipe.   Murphy's spray wipe.   If there's any stubborn dirt, I'll use a 'shoe'  brush, or small wire brush to get dirt out.  IF IT'S REALLY BAD, then, I'll use Scrubbing Bubbles.

 

Aqua Net unscented hair spray (regular old fashioned aerosol can) works great as a finishing touch.  Let it dry in the sun though.  Hairspray isn't good for a "quick fix" between games ....

 

Read the threads I posted ....TONS of info in there! :D

 

On edit:

 

I would't polish my shoes right out of the box however...especially the NB shoes as they come w/ an "OEM" shine :)

Majordave

Majordave

Posted
Posted

I forgot to add that I got the Jim Evans/ABUA shoe brush for Christmas. It should help with getting mud and dust off my shoes. It's going in my extra Honig's Ditty bag with some other shoe and cleaning stuff and then either in my new big ass Wilson Umpire Bag or my personal version of the FSB (Finnerty Supply Bucket) as the case may be.

Link to brush here: http://www.umpire.org/store/product_info.php?cPath=68_69&products_id=164

Razzer

Razzer

Posted
Posted

I bought  polisher at the charity shop for $15.00

I strip down my shoes every fall and work on them during the long Canadian winter. After I have a solid base coat the spit shine begins.

Now I just clean them and run over with the polisher.

UmpJeff

UmpJeff

Posted
Posted

I use L.A. Awesome on both my plate and base shoes.  Learned about it at CDP last summer from a D1 guy.  This stuff is the bomb!  Dollar General...a squirt bottle and a refill bottle can be yours for $4.24.  It will last you a couple of seasons, easily. 

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

I use L.A. Awesome on both my plate and base shoes.  Learned about it at CDP last summer from a D1 guy.  This stuff is the bomb!  Dollar General...a squirt bottle and a refill bottle can be yours for $4.24.  It will last you a couple of seasons, easily. 

Jeff, ... L.A. ??

WIUMP

WIUMP

Posted
Posted

After reading some of the linked threads, I am nervous of some of the products being advocated. Many household cleaners and polishers have ammonia or silicone or other chemicals that, although may produce desirable results, will ultimately harm the materials on the shoes. Maybe the shoes have been made with just as many chemicals and no ill effects will result. 

  • Like 1
Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

After reading some of the linked threads, I am nervous of some of the products being advocated. Many household cleaners and polishers have ammonia or silicone or other chemicals that, although may produce desirable results, will ultimately harm the materials on the shoes. Maybe the shoes have been made with just as many chemicals and no ill effects will result. 

that's why you need to treat your shoes properly.   cleaning your shoes is just the start, and also why that stuff is typically wiped off immediately after

  • Like 1
MidAmUmp

MidAmUmp

Posted
Posted

Don't use items like scrubbing bubbles or household cleaners. They will cause your shoes to break down. Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with water leaves a residue on your shoes. It looks good at the time, but over time you'll have to work to get the buildup off your shoes.

 

Hand soap, a scrub brush and water is all you need to keep them clean daily.

 

You can also use saddle soap. You can get a big can of it next to the cans of shoe polish. Pick up one of those round shoe brushes, get the bristles wet, load up some saddle soap on it and scrub all over your shoes. Clean off with water and they will look brand new.  

 

These are the base shoes I wear - https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Shoes/MB1000BK_New-Balance-MB1000-UmpireReferee-Field-Shoes-BlackWhite?id=522

 

I had clay stains on the white & dirt stains on the gray cloth that I couldn't get off. I used saddle soap on them and they came clean and looked like they did straight out of the box.

 

I'll also note, there is a thin black area just above the white on the shoes (between the white and the actual shoe). I started off using scrubbing bubbles and it took the black off of it. I'm pretty sure that's not good for shoes.

 

Hand soap is obviously safe on your skin so it will work well on your shoes and saddle soap is made for leather.

 

Use one of those "instant shine" foam pads and spray a little hair spray on your shoes and you'll have a good shine. 

  • Like 2
Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
Posted

Don't use items like scrubbing bubbles or household cleaners. They will cause your shoes to break down. Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with water leaves a residue on your shoes. It looks good at the time, but over time you'll have to work to get the buildup off your shoes.

 

Hand soap, a scrub brush and water is all you need to keep them clean daily.

 

You can also use saddle soap. You can get a big can of it next to the cans of shoe polish. Pick up one of those round shoe brushes, get the bristles wet, load up some saddle soap on it and scrub all over your shoes. Clean off with water and they will look brand new.  

 

These are the base shoes I wear - https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Shoes/MB1000BK_New-Balance-MB1000-UmpireReferee-Field-Shoes-BlackWhite?id=522

 

I had clay stains on the white & dirt stains on the gray cloth that I couldn't get off. I used saddle soap on them and they came clean and looked like they did straight out of the box.

 

I'll also note, there is a thin black area just above the white on the shoes (between the white and the actual shoe). I started off using scrubbing bubbles and it took the black off of it. I'm pretty sure that's not good for shoes.

 

Hand soap is obviously safe on your skin so it will work well on your shoes and saddle soap is made for leather.

 

Use one of those "instant shine" foam pads and spray a little hair spray on your shoes and you'll have a good shine. 

I haven't experience that, however, ...I start w/ water, and end w/ water, (after the murphys solutions) ....so maybe that's why ....

 

That's great advice there!!!

umpstu

umpstu

Posted
Posted

Don't use items like scrubbing bubbles or household cleaners. They will cause your shoes to break down. Murphy's Oil Soap mixed with water leaves a residue on your shoes. It looks good at the time, but over time you'll have to work to get the buildup off your shoes.

 

Hand soap, a scrub brush and water is all you need to keep them clean daily.

 

You can also use saddle soap. You can get a big can of it next to the cans of shoe polish. Pick up one of those round shoe brushes, get the bristles wet, load up some saddle soap on it and scrub all over your shoes. Clean off with water and they will look brand new.  

 

These are the base shoes I wear - https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Shoes/MB1000BK_New-Balance-MB1000-UmpireReferee-Field-Shoes-BlackWhite?id=522

 

I had clay stains on the white & dirt stains on the gray cloth that I couldn't get off. I used saddle soap on them and they came clean and looked like they did straight out of the box.

 

I'll also note, there is a thin black area just above the white on the shoes (between the white and the actual shoe). I started off using scrubbing bubbles and it took the black off of it. I'm pretty sure that's not good for shoes.

 

Hand soap is obviously safe on your skin so it will work well on your shoes and saddle soap is made for leather.

 

Use one of those "instant shine" foam pads and spray a little hair spray on your shoes and you'll have a good shine. 

I wear the same model base shoes and just use Costco's dish washing detergent and a nylon brush.  Those shoes are the bomb.

zm1283

zm1283

Posted
Posted

I have also had Scrubbing Bubbles take black off of base shoes. It was black plastic/rubber material on some base shoes I used a couple of years ago. I have the MB1000 base shoes and NB460 plate shoes and use Murphy's Oil/water mix on both and it works fine for me. I spray them, use a stiff brush to agitate, and then wipe clean with a rag. I don't put a lot of Murphy's in the bottle. It's mostly water. Then shine with the Kiwi instant polish thing and let them dry. 

Kevin_K

Kevin_K

Posted
Posted

Meltonian cleaner, polish and horsehair brush.

 

http://www.meltonian.com/

 

Leather is supple, clean, and comfortable.

 

If they get muddy, I clean them with a spray bottle of water and a cloth. If they mud is particularly stubborn, I use an old toothbrush.

boyinr

boyinr

Posted
Posted

I use diluted Murphy's Oil Soap right after wearing. I have used this product for at 5 years. It is my experience and opinion that your shoes will wear out or break down long before this product does them any harm. Most shoes have very little real leather and are mostly synthetic materials. I also use Kiwi instant shine before every game. Sometimes, if the grime is really bad I will use Scrubbing Bubbles before the Murphy's.

slo8140

slo8140

Posted
Posted

 

I have these also but was wondering if they are discontinued?

Would love another pair for the turf

 https://www.ump-atti...ackWhite?id=522

Honigs is selling the new model 1000s. http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Item=1635&Sub=9

 

I wish they made the new ones in all leather like they did the discontinued old ones. I decided I wanted a pair of the old ones about the time everyone ran out of my size.

 

Don't mind the look of the new ones...just don't know how easy they will be to clean. MLB guys on nice fields don't have to worry to much about the cleaning...but we do.

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